Sunday Dinner at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s July 5, 2009

When we were kids, every Sunday we would go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in North Vancouver for Sunday dinner.  Without fail, we would have meat spaghetti with Parmesan cheese, homestyle shake and bake chicken with Miracle Whip on it (trust me, it’s divine) and chocolate milk.  Then we’d watch Star Trek.  Every single Sunday, it was tradition.

With Grandma’s recent passing, Grandma’s children and grandkids gathered together at her home to remember her.  We thought it only fitting that the last meal we ate together in her home be that same Sunday dinner that she used to make for us, chocolate milk and all.  Even us lactose intolerant few had a couple sips 🙂

I think I may have decided what to have for dinner…

Do you have any nostalgic meals that your parents or grandparents made that have carried on through your kitchen?

What’s for Dinner? April 17, 2009

What do you cook when you don’t want to cook?  We’ve had a lot of days like that this week (we’ve cooked once in the last six days) and I’ve been dying to ask your advice.  So, what are your quick, no thought meals that you put on the table when you have no desire to cook?  Care to share a recipe or two? 

Also, here are some great blog resources for food:

Preparedness Pro has some great quick and easy recipes (loooove the chicken enchiladas) as well as great food for thought on food storage.

Gourmet Momma shows how she does dinner for $5.  Her taco soup looks amazing! 

If you’re one of those amazing women that can plan meals a week in advance and shop accordingly, please share your wisdom!  I need to know how!  Is there some Women 101 class I missed?

Delicious Grilled Vegetable Panini Recipe April 8, 2008

Oh my gosh. We had the most unbelievable meal tonight!

While on Yahoo! today, I found this recipe for a California Grilled Veggie Sandwich. We decided it would be good and our expectations were WAY exceeded!

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
2. 3 cloves garlic, minced
3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
4. 1/8 cup olive oil
5. 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
6. 1 avocado, sliced (originally called for zucchini)
7. 1 red onion, sliced
8. 1 small yellow squash, sliced
9. 2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally
10. 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese (originally called for feta)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.
4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don’t burn. Remove from grill, and layer with the vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

We deviated from the recipe and cooked the veggies on the stove in olive oil and then grilled it on our panini sandwich press. I am in heaven!

Easy Dinner Recipes March 24, 2008

One of my favorite easy dinner recipes is this Chicken Moroccan Soup by chef Sam Gugino from his book, Cooking to Beat the Clock.

This soup is quick and easy, and is a great ethnic dish and is a favorite of ours and guests.

2 tbsp olive oil
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, about 8 oz.
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp hot paprika or 3/4 tsp sweet paprika and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
5 C chicken stock
2 medium zucchini
1/2 cup instant couscous
1 16-oz can chickpeas
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 sprigs cilantro (optional)

1. Put the oil in a deep, pan over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken into 1/2″ cubes. Add to the pan, raise heat to high, stir.
2. While the chicken browns, peel and quarter the onion & put in a food processor. Pulse until just chopped. Add the onion, cumin, ginger and paprika to the pan. Stir and cook for 1 min. Add the stock to the pan and stir with a wide wooden spoon, scraping any bits from the bottom. Cover and bring to a boil, about 2 min.
3. Meanwhile, trim the zucchini and slice in half lengthwise. Then cut crosswise into 1/4″ half moons. When the soup comes to a boil, add the zucchini and the couscous to the pan, stir and cover.
4. Open the can of chickpeas into a small colander, rinse and drain briefly. Add to the pan. Cover and let the soup return to a boil, then lower the heat slightly so the soup simmers briskly for 4 min. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chop the leaves from the cilantro sprigs. Stir into the soup, cook for 1 min, and serve in soup plates.

Feel free to share some of your favorite easy dinner recipes! I’m always on the look out 🙂

nothing like homemade cream of broccoli soup February 28, 2008

On the way home today, I stopped by Flour Girls and Dough Boys in American Fork for a visit and walked out with good, hearty bread bowls. These things have a good weight to them, not like the air-filled things you find in most bakeries. What else to put in a bread bowl than cream of broccoli soup?

Delightful Tina from Flour Girls suggested to put the bread bowls in the oven to warm them up and make them soft again before serving. Tim made the incision and carved out the insides like pumpkins before filling them with thick, hearty soup.

The All Recipes cream of broccoli recipe we made got a whopping five stars on all the reviews I read, so naturally, I had to try it. (click here for the recipe!) The aroma itself is delicious and I am anxiously awaiting to consume it. Signing off!

Addendum: The Review

I am extremely full and completely satisfied. Next time you’re in the mood for a heartwarming winter meal, I highly recommend this simple and delicious recipe. Women, your boyfriend/partner/husband will praise you for it.

Though it’s only Wednesday, I feel in desperate need for a weekend, to turn off my mind and escape. It’s time to curl up in the living room with soft light, the fire place and Tim.